142. The Conference noted with approval the work carried out
during 1960-61 in the field of plant production and protection,
and expressed satisfaction with the well-balanced program of work
for 196263. Since it was recognized throughout the world that
crop production levels needed to be increased with the greatest
urgency, the Conference considered the proposed strengthening of
the divisional staff to be fully justified. The proposed budget
was small in relation to the work to be undertaken, and the
matter should be given careful consideration in the formation of
the 1964-65 Program of Work and Budget.

143. The Conference recognized the need for a more balanced
program of activities in plant production within the Division,
and agreed with the establishment of the three proposed
Branches-Food Crops and Horticulture (consisting of a Field Food
Crops Section and a Fruit and Vegetable Crops Section),
Industrial Crops, and Pasture and Fodder Crops. The Conference
took note that close cooperation among these Branches would be
maintained in matters of common interest, such as seed
certification, plant introduction and ecology.

144. The Conference drew attention to the basic importance of
fruits and vegetables in the human diet and in the economy of
many countries, and recommended adequate provision in the 1964-65
biennium for expansion of activities in the horticulture field,
and for the creation of a Fruit and Vegetable Crops Branch.

145. Several delegates commended the Organization for the
effective assistance given in the field of seed production,
control and distribution, and commented on the favorable impact
of the World Seed Campaign. The program of seed exchange should
be further expanded.

146. The Conference considered the question of maintaining an
international register for agricultural " cultivars "
(varieties) and agreed that it would be difficult for FAO to act
at present as an international registration authority for
agricultural varieties. Some delegates suggested that FAO should
help coordinate efforts toward protection of plant breeders'
rights, and establishment of a unified system of certification of
the main crops.

Food crops and horticulture

147. The Conference noted with approval the increasing
attention to be paid to sorghum, millets, and grain legumes, and
particularly stressed the importance of research on better
locally-adapted varieties to food needs and improved methods of
cultivation. Several delegations supported the promotion of
research work on improved maize varieties for the tropics, and
also wished to see an expansion of work on such staple foods as
sweet potato, yam, cassava, taro and plantain.

148. Many delegates expressed satisfaction with the work done
by the International Rice Commission Working Party on Rice
Production and Protection and suggested that new countries
interested in rice production might join the Commission. The
Conference was satisfied with the progress being made with the
expansion and acceleration of the wheat and barley improvement
project in the Near East with the assistance of contributions
from the Freedom from Hunger Campaign.

149. The Conference welcomed the emphasis given to problems of
fruit and vegetable production, and noted with satisfaction the
co-operative work with UNICEF in school garden projects. It
stressed, however, the need for more work on horticultural
production in the tropics, the semiarid and the arid regions.

150. The Conference commended the work done on citrus, olive,
date palm and banana, since these crops are of great importance
to the economy of many countries, and suggested that high
priority should be given to improvement of and research on them,
as well as to the improvement of vegetable seed production in the
Near East and of vegetable production in Africa and Latin
America.

Industrial crops

151. The Conference noted with interest the work done and
supported the proposed program of activities in the field of
industrial crops. It recommended that close contacts be
maintained with specialists and specialized institutes in coffee
and cocoa production, and recognized the results to be obtained
from meetings of experts to carry out specific tasks.

152. In that connection the Conference acknowledged the
progress being made with the organization of an FAO working party
on cocoa production, and supported the suggestion for a similar
working party on coffee production. These working parties should
give valuable guidance for the implementation of the
recommendations of the meetings on cocoa production held in Accra
in 1959 and on coffee production and protection in Abidjan in
1960. The Conference noted with satisfaction the assistance given
by FAO to coconut producing countries in the Far East and South
Pacific and expressed interest in the FAO Working Party on
Coconut Production. Protection and Processing to be held in
Trivandrum, India in November 1961. As the economy of so many
countries largely depends on a very limited number of crops, the
Conference requested that special attention be given to
agricultural diversification.

153. The Conference also noted a need for work in crops that
so far had been given too little or no attention, such as certain
fiber crops, (jute, sisal, kenaf, and Urena lobata), certain oil
crops, (groundnut, castor bean, mustard and rape),
sugar-producing crops, tea, kola, medicinal plants and spices. As
regards rubber, some delegates expressed interest in the
establishment of an international center for the study and
testing of Hevea clones for resistance to the South American leaf
blight disease (Dothidella ulei).

Pasture and fodder crops

154. The Conference stressed the importance of ecological and
climatological studies for land use and agricultural development
planning, and suggested that FAO should assist in the development
of a world program on agroclimatology in collaboration with other
international as well as national organizations. Plant
exploration and plant introduction continued to be an important
basis for raising crop yields. The Conference noted with
satisfaction the efforts of Turkey to establish a center for
plant exploration and introduction, and agreed that FAO, within
its means, should help in the development of this project.

155. The potentialities of the world's natural grasslands for
animal production were underlined. Considerably more study would
be necessary to ensure proper utilization of these valuable
resources, particularly grasslands in semiarid and tropical
regions. To help meet the more urgent needs, it was suggested
that a publication be prepared on the management and improvement
of semiarid grazing lands. The study of grassland utilization
required the closest possible interdivisional and international
co-operation.

156. Emphasis was placed on the integration of pasture and
fodder crops with other cultivated crops as a means of promoting
animal production, of stabilizing land use, and of raising crop
production levels, and the Conference suggested that FAO should
give more attention to the forage crops most suitable in crop
rotation systems.

157. The Conference agreed that more emphasis should be given
to training in its different forms, including the use of
fellowships' training centers, in-service training, and the
provision of counterparts for EPTA and the United Nations Special
Fund experts. The Conference felt that the program in the Far
East and the semiarid zones of the Near East could be
strengthened by organized training centers on pasture and fodder
production.

Crop protection

158. The Conference noted with satisfaction the proposed
expansion of activities for 1962-63 in the field of crop
protection, but felt that the staff should be further
strengthened in 1964-65, by the addition of a weed control
specialist and a nematologist, in order to provide adequate
assistance to Member Governments.

159. Intergovernmental co-operation also required to be
strengthened, especially in plant quarantine and pest control. In
the light of the valuable results of the recent Near East meeting
held within the framework of the International Plant Protection
Convention, the Conference recommended that the Director-General
establish a plant protection committee for the Near East to
co-ordinate national efforts. Its first meeting might be held in
1962. The Conference also recommended that three additional
regional plant protection experts in the fields of entomology,
phytopathology and plant-health quarantine be appointed in the
Near East and neighboring countries and stationed at suitable
places.

160. In order to further develop the co-operative project on
sunn pest control, the Conference recommended that the
Director-General set up a committee on the control of sunn pest
in cereals to replace the existing working party on this subject.

161. The Conference urged that FAO provide leadership in
achieving international understanding in the controversial
aspects of the use of pesticides (e.g. pesticide residues,
hazards to farm workers, operators and factory workers, insect
resistance to insecticides, and marketing requirements) in
furnishing guidance to governments.

RESOLUTION No. 8/61

The use of pesticides in agriculture

THE CONFERENCE

Recognizing that an increasing volume and variety of
pesticides are being used during the production, processing,
storage and distribution of food and other agricultural products
in order to avoid serious losses both in quantity and quality of
these products,

Considering that the efficient and economical use of
pesticides in agriculture is being hampered by the increasing
apprehension as to the effects of the use of pesticides and
misunderstanding of the problems relating to pesticide residues
in food, and that the lack of uniformity of approach by
governments and the agricultural chemicals industry in this
connection may delay progress in pest control and handicap
international movement of agricultural products,

Considering further that other problems, such as the
development of resistance to insecticides in insects,
occupational hazards in connection with the production, handling
and use of pesticides in agriculture, and the registration and
marketing requirements, are of equal importance for the efficient
and safe use of pesticides in agriculture, and

Having noted with satisfaction the effort made by FAO to
provide assistance to governments on these problems and the
collaboration established with the World Health Organization in
this regard,

Requests the Director-General:

(a) to establish immediately a Committee on Pesticides in
Agriculture, composed of a small number of experts from
those countries that have technical competence in the use
of pesticides, the selection to be based on professional
competence in the field, in accordance with the
established channels of consultation with the governments
concerned,

(b) to call a meeting of this Committee on
Pesticides in Agriculture at an early date in order to
assist the Director-General in the planning and
organizing of a conference of government representatives
as mentioned below,

(c) to convene in 1962 a conference of expert
representatives designated by their respective
governments. Interested international agencies and
technical and research institutions with special
competence in this field should be invited to send
observers. The FAO Committee on Pesticides in Agriculture
should be invited to meet at the same time in order to be
available to assist with the conference. This
intergovernmental conference would have as its purpose
the formulation of a recommended plan for desirable
future action covering scientific, legislative and
regulatory aspects of the use of pesticides. The cost for
the expert representatives or observers designated by
member countries or organizations of attending the
conference will be borne by the respective governments or
organizations concerned,

(d) to establish, in the light of the findings of the
above-mentioned conference, ad hoc working parties under
the Committee to study specific problems including
pesticide residues, occupational hazards, registration,
labelling and marketing of pesticides and insect
resistance to pesticides, the cost of the experts serving
on the FAO Committee on Pesticides in Agriculture and its
working parties being borne by FAO and

(e) to establish close collaboration with the various
interested international agencies, in particular WHO or
ILO, wherever problems concerning public health or
occupational hazards are involved.

162. Since the prompt exchange of accurate information on
scientific advances and regulatory developments concerning
pesticides is essential to international understanding, the
Conference urged the Director-General to explore the possibility
of immediately establishing a post, the encumbent of which would
assume full-time responsibility for assembling and disseminating
information on pesticides.

163. The Conference drew attention to the need for including
in the study of pesticides and their application, the special
problems of possible harmful effects on wildlife.

164. The Conference expressed its satisfaction with EPTA and
the United Nations Special Fund activities on the control of the
desert locust. In connection with the Special Fund Desert Locust
project, the Conference stressed the importance of the ecological
survey and recommended that its activities should be expanded by
greater utilization of the services of specialists from the
different countries. The Conference also recommended that FAO
should strengthen the regional antilocust program in the Near
East, possibly with assistance from the Special Fund for the
particular purpose of ensuring the exchange of technical
information and details of antilocust measures taken by the
countries of the region. For that purpose the Conference adopted
the following resolution:

RESOLUTION No. 9/61

International Locust Commission for the Near East and adjacent
countries

THE CONFERENCE

Realizing the urgent need for promoting plant protection
activities in the Near East and adjacent countries, because of
serious desert locust invasions and heavy locust breeding in the
Indo-Pakistan subcontinent and the likelihood of repetitions
thereof in future, with a consequent adverse effect on crop
production in these countries.

Requests the Director-General to examine urgently the
necessary steps to set up an International Locust Commission for
the Near East and adjacent countries (including India and
Pakistan) and with the participation of such other countries may
wish to join to provide the necessary machinery for effective
control of the desert locust in the affected countries; and

Recommends that the cost of this Commission and its operations
be financed from all available sources including donations and
contributions from countries and nonofficial donors under the
Freedom from Hunger Campaign.

165. At the Third Session of the FAO Eastern African Desert
Locust Control Subcommittee there had been a unanimous desire for
the establishment of a regional antilocust service in eastern
Africa.. While such a service would be established outside the
framework of FAO the Subcommittee had considered that very close
links should be maintained between it and FAO. The Conference
noted that the Director-General had been requested to assist the
countries of the region by convening a conference for the
conclusion of a regional convention for this purpose. In view of
the urgency, the Conference requested the Director-General to
take this action as early as possible. Expenditures incurred by
FAO in this respect would be met from the Eastern African Desert
Locust Trust Fund.

166. Among the current problems of international importance,
FAO was requested to give special attention to the biological
control of insects and weeds, and the control of plant parasitic
nematodes. Effective steps should also be taken to promote
international measures for the control of water hyacinth in
collaboration with the Commission for Technical Co-operation in
Africa South of the Sahara and other interested intergovernmental
agencies. The Conference drew attention again to the damage
caused by grain-eating birds in tropical Africa, and urged FAO to
initiate as soon as possible a regional project for investigation
and control of these pests under EPTA or any other program.

167. Recognizing the importance of effective crop storage
systems, the Conference stressed the need for dissemination of
information on effective methods of preventing losses.

168. As the success of a crop protection program depends
greatly on the availability of well-trained personnel, the
Conference recommended that training centers be organized on
plant quarantine and pest control for the Far East and the Near
East during 1962-63 with funds from EPTA or any other available
source.

169. The Conference expressed appreciation of the work carried
out in 1960-61 in the fields of animal production and health and
endorsed the proposed program of work for 1962-63. The new budget
would not, however, be adequate for all the progress the
Organization should now be making in this field.

170. The Conference emphasized the importance of active
interdivisional co-operation within the Organization and noted
with approval the close collaboration that existed with other
international organizations such as the World Health Organization
(WHO), the International Office of Epizootics (OIE), the European
Association for Animal Production (EAAP), the International Dairy
Federation (IDF) and others and urged that FAO should increase
efforts to ensure that duplication of activity is avoided.

171. The Conference emphasized that high priority should be
given to animal husbandry and dairy education and training. The
Conference also approved the operations of the FAD/WHO Expert
Panel on Veterinary Education and endorsed the plans for
establishing regional institutes to provide both research and
training facilities and stimulate increased productivity in the
areas they serve.

Animal production

172. The Conference stressed the importance of improving and
utilizing the world's natural grasslands in the interests of
meat, milk and wool production. It endorsed the proposed
interdivisional co-operation in this respect, including the
participation in regional working parties of pasture and fodder
development and the establishment of an expert panel on livestock
and range management. The Conference emphasized the importance of
studies of feeding systems under regional or environmental
conditions, of the standardization of methods for the analysis of
feeding substances, and of techniques of blood grouping. It noted
with satisfaction the special emphasis placed on studies and
publications concerning mineral deficiencies and imbalances in
feeding rations, which often result in substantial loss, and
hoped the information so obtained would be widely disseminated.

173. In strongly supporting the expansion of activities in the
field of poultry production, the Conference noted that increased
poultry production was often hampered by poor nutrition and the
cost of importing feeding-stuffs needed for a balanced ration.
Such matters should be given close study by the Organization.

174. Noting the widely different animal breeding programs
being carried out in developing countries, the Conference
considered that the group-country approach could be very useful
in establishing consistent programs of research and endorsed the
proposal for an expert group to advise on such matters.

175. The Conference considered that in many areas the dairy
industry is at least as important as beef production. While
placing heavy emphasis on dairy cattle, the Conference also urged
that further work be undertaken on sheep and goats as providers
of milk and meat.

Dairy industry

176. Views were expressed concerning the desirability of
starting or increasing the production of milk and milk products
in developing countries, though they fully recognized the many
problems of production, handling, processing and distribution
involved. The Conference noted with satisfaction the increased
momentum of training programs in dairying and welcomed the
specific assistance rendered by certain countries in this
respect.

177. The continuing and constructive co-operation between FAO
and UNICEF was the subject of much favorable comment. The
Conference, however, took a grave view of the present position,
in which FAO found itself unable fully to meet the technical
assistance requirements for the joint FAO/ UNICEF projects. This
problem was related directly to the shortage of funds the experts
needed to provide specialized guidance as projects developed. The
Conference strongly favored an expansion of activities in this
field to meet both the country needs and the requirements for
full co-operation with UNICEF. Delegations drew attention to the
disparity between UNICEF support and FAO cooperation, stressed
the great amount of additional work which had been shouldered in
this field by the Organization in connection with UNICEF
operations and the Freedom from Hunger Campaign, and forecast a
further expansion of such work and responsibilities. As none of
this workload was of a temporary nature, the Conference
considered that a strengthening of the Headquarters staff and an
increase of funds was vitally necessary to meet existing
commitments and essential expansion.

178. The Conference noted with satisfaction that the Code of
principles concerning milk and milk products had been adopted by
a large number of countries and agreed that the full
establishment of such a Code of principles was highly desirable.
In accordance with the request of the Fourth Session of the
Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles
Concerning Milk and Milk Products held in Rome 6-10 March 1961
the following resolution was approved:

RESOLUTION No. 10/61

Code of principles concerning milk and milk products

THE CONFERENCE

Recalling Conference Resolution No. 16/57 which recommended
the constitution of a committee of government experts to
formulate designations, definitions and standards for milk and
milk products to be set out in such manner as would enable
governments to accept them without having recourse to treaty
procedure,

Notes with great satisfaction the large measure of success
achieved by the Code of principles concerning milk and milk
products (published as Document 1961/3, second edition, April
1961) and now accepted by 48 governments out of 49 from which
replies concerning application of the Code have so far been
received, including the principal countries interested in
international trade in milk products:

Appreciates the work done by the International Dairy
Federation in the preparation of the draft texts on which the
Code of Principles and its associated standards are in large
parts based; and

Urges such Member Governments as have not accepted the Code of
Principles to make full use of the simplified procedures of
acceptance adopted by the Committee, so that the influence
already exerted by the Code may be extended to the benefit of
both consumers and producers in all countries.

Animal health

179. The Conference commended the Organization for the
emergency assistance provided, in cooperation with several
countries, with particular reference to African horse sickness,
African swine fever, rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease. FAO's
ability to respond promptly and effectively to such matters of
urgency in disease control should be further strengthened. The
Conference expressed the gravest concern in regard to the actual
and potential dangers of the spread of such epizootics, with
particular reference to African swine fever: the urgency of the
need for extensive research into the latter disease was
exemplified by the fact that no prophylactic vaccine had yet been
discovered that could help to control the spread of this
condition.

180. Since many animal diseases are common to groups of
countries, the Conference again stressed the need for research in
and control of diseases on a regional basis and particularly
welcomed such Special Fund projects as the Near East Animal
Health Institute. Similar projects should be initiated in other
regions.

181. Stressing that the control of diseases was basic to
advances in livestock and poultry production, the Conference
considered that the regional veterinary services of FAO should be
strengthened and emphasized the urgent need for regional officers
in the Near and Far East.

RESOLUTION No. 11/61

Expansion of animal health work in the Near East and in Asia and
the Far East

THE CONFERENCE

Recognizing the enormous preventable economic losses being
suffered yearly by countries of Asia and the Far East from animal
diseases, such as rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease,
haemorrhagic septicemia, parasitism, poultry and swine diseases
and other epizootics,

Considering that such economic losses comprise not only those
due to outright deaths of the animals so affected and to the
retarded growth with consequent reduction in values of those that
recover but also those due to the suspension of agricultural
operations resulting from infection of quarantinable diseases,

Observing that the countries of Asia and the Far East have
expressed particular interest in co-operation among themselves in
solving disease problems affecting their region, and

Recalling the terms of Resolution No. 22/59 of its Tenth
Session,

Recommends that FAO consider the possibility of:

(a) establishing an Asian and Far East regional institute
for animal health in a form similar to that of the
institute being established in the Near East,

(b)
assigning in the 1964-65 biennium or at the most
practicable date a regional veterinarian for Asia and the
Far East as envisaged in the aforementioned resolution
and also a regional veterinarian for the Near East
region,

(c) including or adding to the duties of the proposed
regional veterinarian the over-all supervision of the
operations and activities of the proposed regional
institute for animal health.

182. The Conference recognized the value of FAO's technical
publications in this field, especially the Animal health
yearbook, but felt that more should be done to fill the gaps in
animal health literature. Particular reference was made by many
delegates to the need for publications on several matters,
including various animal parasites and diseases affecting pigs,
poultry, buffaloes and young animals. While appreciating the
budget difficulties connected with the production of more
technical publications, the Conference strongly felt that the
Organization should receive the necessary support for this work.

183. The Conference noted with approval the close association
of FAO with WHO in zoonoses, endorsed the activities in the
general field of veterinary preventive medicine and considered
that the work on meat production and hygiene should be extended.

184. The Conference reviewed the program for atomic energy in
food and agriculture carried out in 1960-61 and expressed
approval of the manner in which the activities were being
developed within the broad framework of the Organization's
general programs.

185. Stressing the importance of rapid diffusion of
information and the early exchange of the results of research in
various aspects such as the use of radiation in food preservation
and plant breeding and the application of radioisotopes in soils,
crops and animal sciences, the Conference welcomed as a useful
step in that direction the proposals for technical meetings
planned for 196263. Limitation of the subject-matter scope of
these meetings was commended as an appropriate policy that should
be maintained.

186. In addition to the importance of maintaining full
emphasis on the applications of radioisotopes and radiation in
food and agriculture, the Conference considered that high
priority should also be given to activities relating to
radioactive contamination in food and agriculture, including
international consideration of such matters as standardization of
procedures for the monitoring of radioactive contamination of
agricultural products, the problems involved in the establishment
of permissible levels of contamination in food and the
application of these levels in practice, and the decontamination
of agricultural resources and products. The reports prepared by
FAO on atomic energy in agriculture were highly appreciated and
the Conference wished to give high priority to the early-
publication and distribution of reports of meetings in this
field.

187. The Conference commended the importance that had been
placed by the Organization on training activities in connection
with radioisotope techniques in agricultural research and
considered that increasing emphasis should be placed on training
courses and fellowships. It noted in this connection that
governments could request fellowships and training courses in
this field under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance.

188. The Conference noted the steps taken by the
Director-General for effective co-ordination and cooperation with
the various other international and regional intergovernmental
agencies, and the recent discussion on this subject by the
Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC) as reported to
the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (Chapter VI, E/3495).7
The Conference also noted that agency responsibilities in atomic
energy work had been generally discussed and agreed upon by the
Thirty -Second Session of ECOSOC. The Conference, however,
emphasized the need for continuing attention by the co-operating
agencies to simplifying the procedure of inviting governments to
meetings sponsored by two or more international agencies, and
recognized the constant need for co-ordination between the
several international agencies concerned.

189. The Conference stressed the importance of the subject of
shifting cultivation in many countries of Africa and the Far East
and gave general approval to the proposed program of work.

190. Shifting cultivation is a way of life and as such cannot
be dealt with from a purely technical standpoint. It requires an
integrated approach with full recognition of the economic,
institutional and social aspects.

191. The Conference noted that the problems in shifting
cultivation differ greatly according to ecological circumstances
and to population density. In the savanna areas one of the main
aims should be to promote settled mixed farming associating
agriculture and livestock production. The introduction of a
fodder crop in the crop rotation could be an excellent means of
reaching this objective where ecological conditions are
favorable. In the forest areas major attention should be given to
ensuring a proper regrowth of the forest cover, if immediate
elimination of shifting cultivation is not feasible.

192. The Conference agreed that, while FAO continued studies
of a general nature and complemented them into more specific
studies on tools, implements etc., a valuable step toward the
solution of the problem of shifting cultivation should be taken
by sending small teams of experts to appraise the situation in
the countries concerned.

193. The Conference noted with approval the activities carried
out in 1960-61 and expressed its satisfaction with the proposed
future program. The Conference welcomed the collaboration of the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a
consultative body with FAO, because of its competence in matters
dealing with the scientific aspects of wildlife conservation.

194. The Conference endorsed the action of the ad hoc Working
Party of the African Forestry Commission concerning the periodic
review of wildlife policy and the preparation of a draft African
convention for the conservation of wildlife through its
controlled use.

195. Taking note of the work and policy of IUCN in Africa
which led to the CCTA-IUCN Conference at Arusha, Tanganyika in
1961, the Conference recommended the establishment of a small
team of experts to visit countries in Africa in order to assess
the potentialities and give advice on wildlife development and
conservation programs, the funds for which would be provided by
the TAB Executive Chairman's contingency fund in 1962.

196. Although the Conference was in agreement that attention
for the time being should be focused mainly on Africa, the
Director-General was requested to expand the work in future
biennia to other regions in collaboration with IUCN.

197. The increasing importance of the role of both cultivated
and uncultivated rural landscape in meeting growing recreational
needs arises from the greater leisure and mobility enjoyed by
urban populations. In this connection the Conference was of the
opinion that landscape planning can be a means of improving the
living environments of rural communities and of satisfying the
need for recreation without hampering agricultural development.

198. Having reviewed the work of the Organization in forestry,
the Conference noted with satisfaction the program fulfilled in
1960-61.

199. The Conference welcomed the growth in number and variety
of field programs arising from EPTA, the Special Fund and the
Freedom from Hunger Campaign in view of their great value to the
developing countries and of the important contributions they make
to the Regular Program. But as a matter of principle, field
activities, however useful, should not disrupt the basic Regular
Program. To avoid curtailment or postponement of approved Regular
Program activities for which funds are voted, the Conference
recommended that the Director-General should continue his efforts
to ensure that the agency costs recovered from external sources
are adequate to support fully not only the operational phases of
field programs, but also those of planning, preparation and
follow-up.